supporting tiriti-based curriculum delivery in mainstream early ...

It was extremely providential that I discovered the Woodhill Park
Research Retreat: an amazing and unique place of academic and hospitable
support. Dr. Jens Hansen took on the task of mentoring me through this process
and was bighearted in sharing his skills both technical and academic. Jens was a
source of strength, academic rigour and the development of my academic skills
especially through the many critical conversations in which we engaged. Jenny
Hansen provided such a warm, caring environment I was able to develop my
thinking skills with much more ease than I believed possible. To have two new
friends is an added bonus. In addition there was a group of critical friends who
each took a chapter of this thesis to provide me what I asked for which was “brutal
feedback” and they did! These were Jenny Hansen, Anna Jo Perry, Jens Hansen,
Jacinta Hawkins, Lyn Lavery, and Yo Heta Lenson. At a time when I thought I
was nearly completed you all provided a reality check.
The final editing was ably undertaken by Sophie Reissner, who not only
provided excellent skills but took the time to explain suggested changes, and where
necessary directed me to relevant sections of the APA manual. In the process I
made another friend.
As always, sacrifices were made by my family and friends as they
cheerfully and willingly picked up that which I could no longer do as the research
continued. In particular I would like to thank my sister Pamela Burns who in
addition to taking on extra tasks at home did all the initial editing of several
versions of each chapter, and my mother Merle Burns who never stopped believing
I could do this, provided emotional and financial support, and sent me to bed when
that was needed too!
That I still love this project and enjoyed the journey, is a testament to all
those – named and unnamed - who supported me. It may sound trite, but it is
nevertheless true, I couldn‟t have done it without you – thank you.
ix